'Huntress' wins grand prize at Audi Hamilton Island Race
Week

SYDNEY/HAMILTON ISLAND – Aug 27, 2013: A motor mechanic with a
knack for consistency behind the wheel and his Sydney crew, who capitalised
on the water in this year’s light air Audi Hamilton Island Race Week,
have taken out a major prize at the award-winning regatta, an Audi A6
allroad vehicle ($117,900 mlp), for one year.

Philip Grove’s Huntress, a Sydney 39Cr representing the Royal
Sydney Yacht Squadron and Balmain Sailing Club and contesting its first
Race Week, narrowly claimed top honours in Performance Racing Division
1.

This winning result was combined with the layday Audi Final Drive
Challenge at Hamilton Island airport when more than 100 people were pitted
against the clock by Audi’s Chief Instructor and Australian Top Gear
presenter, Steve Pizatti. All yachts were invited to send a crew member to
get behind the wheel of Audi’s mighty Audi R8 V10 plus model. It is
the fastest car produced by the luxury carmaker, and is powered by a
hand-built 5.2-litre V10 engine that demolishes 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds
and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h.

After his two timed laps around the track, Grove’s mastman, Marco
Bergamuncha, had secretly recorded the most consistent times. When coupled
with Huntress’ final score at the end of their seven-race series, a
one point divisional win over Matt Allen’s defending Farr 400 Ichi
Ban, Philip Grove was declared the winner of the major prize from Race
Week‘s principal sponsor, Audi.

“Marco has been a motor mechanic so when we saw the opportunity to
drive, we knew he was the right man,” said Grove.

A thrilled Bergamuncha was at Saturday evening’s gala farewell to
the 30th anniversary of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week when the winner was
announced. With his skipper already back in Sydney, Bergamuncha had the
honour of collecting the keys to the Audi A6 allroad quattro from Audi
Australia’s managing director, Andrew Doyle.

It was a great week on the water and off. The level of professionalism
and friendly competition from all contenders was excellent, and we were
certainly proud to be the principal sponsor of this world-class Regatta
once again,“ Mr Doyle said.

“I’d like to say congratulations to all winners, but a
special mention to the crew of Huntress for winning our major prize for
this year.“

Grove has offered his crewman the option to take the Audi loan car for a
year. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s his,” said
Grove.

“Marco has been sailing with me for four years so he’s one
of my regulars. He does mast and bow and he’s always helping to fix
things on the boat, he’s a very willing person,” added Grove.
When Huntress is in Sydney they take autistic children and their carers
sailing via a joint Balmain Sailing Club and Giant Steps program.
“Marco is always up for those days,” said his proud
skipper.

On the regatta Grove added, “It was the perfect boat for a light
air regatta. The conditions were just lovely; in fact I was tempted to
leave the boat up there! I never heard a single cranky voice on the water,
you do any start on Sydney Harbour and all you hear is insults back and
forth. It was very calm and with all the lovely hospitality touches, such
as the morning coffee cart, there was a terrific vibe.”

The 30th edition of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, held from 18 - 24
August, was open to a wide spectrum of sailboats – from sport boats
to cruising yachts, cruiser-racers and grand prix level keelboats, plus a
new multihull and MC38 division and the creation of First Fleet division
for the four originals from the 1984 starter’s list.

The fleet of 157 yachts tackled a week of light winds with the addition
of several playful baby whales and their watchful parents.

Twelve divisions battled it out on the stunning Whitsunday Islands
courses while ashore the social calendar offered exquisite lunches, dinners
and fashion.

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